QB Sam Bradford '100 percent behind' Josh Rosen, even after demotion

If there is a player on the Arizona Cardinals this season to be a disappointment, it is quarterback Sam Bradford. Signed to a large free agent contract, he was expected to be the starting quarterback and play well. General manager Steve Keim was bullish all offseason about him, saying he could be Comeback Player of the Year.

However, he was benched after two games, turning the ball over five times and looking bad overall.

The former No. 1 pick has handled the situation about as perfectly as he could do.

“We can’t give Sam enough credit for what he has done for this team,” offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said on Thursday. “From the day that we decided to go with Josh (Rosen) in that game, he has been 100 percent behind Josh.”

Bradford hasn’t complained and has been a great teammate ever since.

“Sam is a great person. That’s what the great pros do. I can’t thank him enough for the way he’s handled it in a tough situation.”

Bradford, until Friday, had been pretty incognito since the demotion. He did speak to reporters briefly after practice Friday. What he had to say showed his character.

“It is challenging,” Bradford said, according to AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban. “But you kind of have to push your pride aside. My role has changed. But I still have a job to do, I’m still part of this team, and I am still going to do everything I can to help this team. It’s just figuring it out how I can do that in this new role.”

He hasn’t changed his approach with Rosen. He continues to help him in the meeting room. He helps him in practice. He gives insights during games.

He even understands being inactive on game days, even though it has to be very difficult personally. However, when he is seen on the sideline, he doesn’t sulk. He talks to Rosen and appears engaged in the game.

How he has handled the situation is a testament to his character and illustrates why he was voted a team captain. Despite the fact he didn’t work out, at least for now, he still adds value to the team. And while there is believed to be a possible rift in the locker room as to who the starting QB should be, Bradford himself has thrown himself completely behind Rosen in support of the rookie.

Bradford deserves his share of the blame for the bad start to the season. But no one can accuse him of being selfish or anything but helpful to the team since his demotion. He couldn’t have handled it any better.